Metallurgical ladle



Oct. 8, 1935. L, SAGE 2,016,579

METALLURG I CAL LADLE Filed NOV. 17, 1930 f/ /lf/ f l I I N VEN TOR.

Patented Oct. 8, 1935 UNITED STATES lPATENT oFFlcE 16 Claims.

The invention relates to an improvement of the present method and it is the object of the invention to provide a device which will permit the desired pouring of the molten metal from the ladle With a minimum of danger to the operator.

Heretofore ladles used. for conveying molten metal from converters, melting furnaces, etc., to discharge it into molds, have been provided with Stoppers working from the inside to regulate the ow of metal out of the ladle and eventually to stop it. These Stoppers consist of an iron rod provided with a plug or stopper proper at its lower end, and with a tubular covering of refractory material to protect it from the action of the molten metal through which it passes. 'Ihe stopper is composed of refractory material, and is set in a suitable cavity or recess in the bottom of the ladle. The seat is made in the refractory lining of the ladle and surrounds the discharge opening. In making use of this stopper, the stopper is first put in place with the upper end of the rod projecting above the mouth of the vessel and curving over so as to be secured to the edge of the same. The molten metal is then run into the ladles from the furnace and when the ladle is brought to position over the molds the stopper is raised, so as to permit the discharge of the proper quantity of molten metal. A ladle contains a sufcient quantity of molten metal to fill several molds, so that the flow of molten metal has to stop while the ladle is being transferred from mold to mold. As the molten metal passes out of the ladle between the stopper and seat it cuts the seat so that the stopper cannot close the discharge `oriiice tightly. The result is, at the best, that such Stoppers and seats will stand only one pouring before they require to be removed. As the stopper cannot be raised very high from seat in securing its proper manipulation metal leaving the ladle is prevented from forming a solid stream and is caused to spatter in every direction. Moreover 4the rod to which the stopper is attached although protected by a covering of refractory material sometimes gets too hot and bends, so that the stopper does not come to a seat.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be made to the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a portion of a ladle construction embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the valve plug;

Fig. 2a is a top plan view of Fig. 2;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the valve plug and casing; and

Fig. 3a is a top plan view of Fig. 3.

My invention is designed to overcome the dimculties above recited and facilitate the transfer and treatment of molten metal in thevarious metallurgical processes, and, generally stated my invention consists in the details of construction and in combination and arrangement of the several parts of my new method of bottom pouring whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive, and otherwise more convenient and ad- 5 vantageous for use as will be hereinafter set forth.

My invention comprises a form of nozzle marked A which is embedded or built into the lining which lines the inside wall of the ladle, and is provided with one channel to receive a plunger 10 B and another channel for an outlet to the ladle.

The nozzle A has a shoulder C which fits into casting D on bottom of ladle. Section of ladle is shown marked O. Steel plates of ladle are marked J. Fire brick lining is marked N, The nozzle A and plunger B are built into this lire brick lining N and fitted into casting D which holds them in exact position in bottom of ladle and over hole in bottom of ladle through which metal is poured.

The nozzle A has a hole marked K through which molten metal flows upon the withdrawal of the plunger B from over opening in nozzle A, Nozzle A is made in two pieces; an upper half and a lower half separated along line V-V is shown in Fig. 3.

The plunger B is fitted into channel R in nozzle A which holds it firmly in position and allows it to be pushed forward and backward in a horizontal movement. By pushing forward it takes the position shown by dotted lines S, and completely closes the opening, not allowing any molten metal to pass through hole K. By pulling back the plunger B until stopped by oisets L which offsets are on both nozzle A and plunger B it allows free flow of molten metal through hole K. By pulling back plunger B slowly any desired flow of molten metal through hole K can be'obtained. 40

The plunger B is operated from the outside of ladle by the same mechanism as is now used. This mechanism is connected to a rod F which runs through center of plunger B, This rod F has metal clips marked G with shoulder, attached to it. These clips G fit into cut out marked V on plunger B holding plunger B securely to rod F. There are four of these clips G one on each side of rod F and are attached to rod F. When these clips G are fitted into cut out V on plunger B they cause plunger B to be moved backward and forward in a horizontal movement by movement of rod F when rod F is operated from mechanism on outside of ladle. 55

Should nose of plunger B be washed by molten metal the mechanism allows for an adjustment and a complete shut off by pushing plunger B forward until it makes a seat no matter how great the wash may be.

Both nozzle A and plungerfB can be manufactured from any refractory or high heat resisting materials. Surrounding nozzle A and plunger B is placed a material with a high coecient of heat conductivity. This will draw heat from nozzle A and plunger B passing this heat through ladle plates which also have a very high coeflicient of heat conductivity, to be dissipated in the air thus keeping nozzle A and plunger B cool, and insuring a longer life.

A feature of the invention is the formation of the nozzle outlet or bore of variable cross section. At the point where the valve plug is associated with the nozzle or valve casing, the bore is of greater cross sectional area. Accordingly in this area the pressure of the iiuid is greater, but the velocity of the iiuid is greater at other points of the nozzle outlet or bore. It has been found that with this construction any freezing of the molten material around the valve plug is avoided. While it is not apparent just what force or i'orces prevent this, it is believed that a swirling action is set up by the molten material as it ows from the ladle, thereby Washing or cleaning out the valve seat and keeping the molten material at a uniform temperature. No particles of molten material are permitted to remain constantly in contact with the walls of the ladle lining or the valve bore to become cooled and thereby amalgamated with the walls of the bore. It has also been Vobserved that less abrasive action takes place against the walls of the Valve bore, this apparently being because the material is passed through the nozzle bore in a molten condition Without any hardened particles.

It is obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reasonI do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

l. In a ladle device for conveying molten metal, a casing having an interior metal receiving chamber and a valve unit embedded Within the wall of the ladle casing and substantially unexposed to the interior chamber comprising a nozzle and a plunger operable within said nozzle.

2. In a ladle device for conveying molten metal, a casing having an interior metal receiving chamber and a valve unit embedded within the Wall of the ladle casing and substantially unexposed to the interior chamber, said unit comprising a nozzle outlet connecting with the interior of the ladle and a plunger casing intermediate of the nozzle inlet and outlet openings, and a plunger operable Within the casing.

3. A ladle device for conveying molten metal comprising a casing having an interior metal receiving chamber, a lining of refractory material for the casing, and a val-ve unit embedded within the lining and substantially unexposed to the chamber..

4. A ladle device for conveying molten metal comprising a casing having an interior metal receiving chamber, a multiple layer lining for the casing, a recess formed in the intermediate lining layer or layers, and a valve unit inserted Within the recess and separated from the chamber by the inmost lining layer.

5. A ladle device for conveying molten metal comprising a chambered casing having a high coefficient of heat conductivity, a refractory linlng for the casing, a valve unit built into the refractory lining and unexposed to the casing chamber, and a covering of a high coeflicient of heat conductivity surrounding the valve unit. 5

6. A ladle device for conveying molten metal comprising a chambered casing having a high coefficient of heat conductivity, a refractory lining for the casing, a valve unit built into the refractory lining and unexposed to the casing chamber, and a covering of a high heat conductivity interposed between the valve unit and the casing.

'7. A ladle device for conveying molten metal comprising a chambered casing having a high coefficient of heat conductivity, a refractory lining for the casing, a valve unit associated with the casing, and a covering of high heat conductivity interposed between the valve unit and the casing.

8. A ladle device for conveying molten metal comprising a chambered casing, a conduit attached to the casing having an intermediate enlarged recess therein, and a valve plug adapted to operate within the enlarged recess.

9. A ladle device for conveying molten metal comprising a chambered casing and a valve unit attached to the casing to provide an outlet therein, said valve unit comprising a casing having a bore of variable cross section, and a valve plug mounted within the bore at the point of its greatest crosssectional area.

10. A ladle device for conveying molten metal comprising a chambered casing and a valve unit attached to the casing to provide an outlet therein, said valve unit comprising a casing having a bore of greatest cross-section at one point and of least cross-section at another, and a valve plug mounted within the bore at one of these crosssections.

ll. A ladle device for conveying molten metal comprising a chambered casing having an outlet opening and a valve unit attached to the casing and associated with the outlet opening, said valve unit comprising a casing, having a bore which is at one point of greater cross-section than the outlet of the ladle casing, and a valve plug mounted within the bore at its greater cross-section.

12. A ladle device for conveying molten metal comprising a chambered casing having an outlet opening and a valve unit attached to the casing and associated with the outlet opening, said valve 60 unit comprising a casing having a bore which ls of greater cross section in its intermediate portion, and a valve plug mounted within the ntermediate portion of greater cross-section.

13. A ladle device for conveying molten metal having a relatively thick wall, and a valve unit embedded entirely within the Wall portion of said ladle.

14. A ladle device for conveying molten metal having a relatively thickwall comprising a casing and a lining therefor, and a valve unit housed within the wall portion of said ladle.

15. A ladle device for conveying molten metal having a relatively thick wall comprising a metal casing and a refractory lining therefor, and a d5- 

